Kale, being the most nutrient dense food on the planet, is the go-to base for any salad this season. So if you’re looking to serve up something fresh and wholesome, give this spiced beef, pumpkin and kale salad a whirl! Not only is it super simple to make, it contains lots of protein and nutrients to keep you feeling nourished and full.

1 small broccoli, thickly sliced (keep the pieces large as it makes it easier to handle)

1⁄2 tsp each cracked black pepper, chilli flakes and ground coriander

2 cups coarsely torn kale (about 1⁄2 bunch)

1 golden shallot, thinly sliced

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

3⁄4 cup coarsely torn flat-leaf parsley

2 tbsp roasted pepitas

Yoghurt-tahini sauce

4 tbsp natural yoghurt

1 1⁄4 tbsp each tahini, lemon juice and olive oil

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C. Drizzle pumpkin with 1 tbsp olive oil, season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and roast on a baking paper-lined oven tray, turning occasionally for about 25 minutes until browned on the edges and tender.

Preheat a char-grill to high. Combine about 1 tbsp olive oil with pepper, chilli flakes and a pinch of salt, brush over steaks and set aside at room temperature while you cook the broccoli.

Drizzle broccoli slices with 1 tbsp olive oil and char-grill, turning occasionally for about 8 minutes until just tender and charred a bit on the edges, then when cool enough to handle, coarsely chop and set aside.

Wipe char-grill clean then cook steaks, turning once, until browned and cooked to your liking (5-6 minutes for medium-rare, 7-8 minutes for medium), transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil and set aside to rest for 5 minutes, then thickly slice.

Mix the yoghurt-tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper.

While the meat rests, combine the kale, shallot, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a large bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper and mix well with your hands until the kale starts to soften (2-3 minutes).

Toss through the beef, chopped broccoli, parsley, barley and pepitas. Spread a little tahini dressing on serving plates, pile the salad on top and serve.

Who doesn’t want to enjoy the taste of freshly baked potatoes minus the extra calories? Ever since sweet potatoes have become trendy again, there are a number of ways to enjoy this healthy vegetable for almost every meal!

This recipe involves less than 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and just 30 minutes or less to prepare – who is ready?

Preheat the oven to 400ºF (or 200ºC), and line a tray with baking paper.

Clean the potatoes, and cut lengthwise since this will make it so much easier for you to prepare.

Rinse and drain the chickpeas, then season with olive oil and spices before leaving to dry on a baking sheet.

Season the sweet potatoes with a touch of olive oil before placing them on the same baking sheet.

Leave the sweet potatoes and chickpeas to roast while you’re preparing the garlic sauce. Add all of the ingredients into a bowl, and whisk to combine them. Add a touch of dried dill if you want more of an intense flavour.

Spring has nearly sprung! So to celebrate, we’re sharing this amazing homemade tabouleh with pistachio recipe from The Detox Bible. Created by Lily Simspon and Rob Hanson, the Arab dish is traditionally made with bulgar wheat, however the duo have replaced it with buckwheat to make a healthier, wheat-free version.

“This dish is fresh and delicious, perfect on its own with some good gluten-free bread or served as a side with meat or fish,” said the authors. “It’s also a great party dish, served with hummus, wrapped in lettuce leaves.”

Ingredients

100g buckwheat grain

2 handfuls of fresh parsley

A handful of fresh mint

300g ripe vine tomatoes, seeded and very finely chopped

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

A pinch of black pepper

A handful of home-shelled pistachios, coarsely crushed

Method

Put the buckwheat in a saucepan and cover with twice its volume of water. Bring to the boil, then cook for 5 minutes until soft. Drain in a sieve and rinse under cold water to cool, then leave to drain thoroughly.

Pull the parsley and mint leaves from their stems and finely chop (keep a few mint leaves for garnish, if you like).

Tip the buckwheat into a large mixing bowl and add the tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Looking for a healthy dinner the family is going to enjoy on a short time frame? A quick stir fry is the best option since it’s made with wholesome vegetables, healthy salmon and takes just 10 minutes create.

Looking for a light dish for those balmy summer evenings? A mussel omelette is a quick and easy way to use those leftovers in the fridge and still keep healthy. This delicious meal is perfect for lunch or dinner and can also be served as an appetiser.

To celebrate the release of The Detox Kitchen Bible, SHESAID has teamed up with authors Lily Simpson and Rob Hobson to bring you this amazing avocado mousse recipe. Yes, avocado in a sweet dish might seem a bit strange at first, however the duo insists that “it acts as a deliciously thick cream to bring the dark, bitter cacao and spicy ginger flavours together.”

What’s more, cacao is said to help boost your mood and has a similar effect on the brain as being in love does – and with only 315 calories per serve, need we say more!?

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 avocados

1 vanilla pod, split open lengthways

1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger

3 tbsp coconut water

3 tbsp raw cacao powder

3 tbsp runny honey

Method

Put the coconut oil in a small pan and heat gently for 5 minutes until melted. Remove from the heat.

Whilst the coconut oil is melting, slice the avocados in half and remove the stones. Scrape all the flesh into a blender or food processor. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod and add to the blender.

Add the grated ginger and coconut water and blitz until smooth. Now add the coconut oil along with the raw cacao powder and honey. Blitz for 2 minutes until completely smooth. (If you don’t have a blender you can mix everything together by hand although the texture may not be as smooth.)

Spoon the mixture into four small ramekins or dessert glasses and leave to set in the fridge for 1–2 hours before serving.

To celebrate the release of The Detox Kitchen Bible, author Lily Simpson has shared her cajun chicken with avocado salad recipe with SHESAID. Wheat, dairy and refined sugar free – as with all the 200 recipes in the book – this particular dish is all about the rich spices and aromatic flavour.

“The chicken is perfectly balanced by the light, creamy avocado salad and sweet-spicy salsa made with mango,” says Lily. “This fruit is a source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which among its many other benefits may help delay the onset of cognitive decline in older people.”

Ingredients

1 tbsp smoked paprika

2 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 tsp crushed dried chilli

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tsp olive oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 150g each

Salad

150g spinach

A handful of fresh coriander

A handful of fresh mint

A handful of fresh parsley

1/4 red onion, roughly diced

1 tsp rapeseed oil

2 avocados

Mango salsa

1 mango, diced

4 cherry tomatoes, diced

A handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime

1 fresh red chilli, seeded and finely chopped

Salt and pepper

Method:

Mix together all the spices, garlic and oil with a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn them so they are covered with the marinade.

Set a ridged griddle/grill pan on a medium heat and leave to heat up.

Meanwhile, one at a time, place the breasts on one half of a large sheet of clingfilm. Fold the clingfilm over so that the spices are sealed in and gently bash the breasts with a rolling pin to flatten them to about 1cm thick.

Remove the clingfilm, then place the breasts on the griddle pan and cook for 6 minutes on each side.

Make the salad whilst the chicken is cooking. Finely chop the spinach, coriander, mint, parsley and red onion and mix together with the oil in a large bowl. Peel the avocados and remove the stone, then dice the flesh. Add to the bowl and fold in gently. Season with salt and pepper.

For the salsa, combine all the ingredients in another bowl. Use your hands to mix, squeezing the tomatoes to create a chunky, juicy salsa.

Serve each chicken breast with a big helping of the spinach salad and the mango salsa.

Indulge in this healthy lunch idea which is made from fresh ingredients and is easy enough for even a beginner in the kitchen. Make sure you have a shell pre-baked (it’ll make the process shorter), then you can fill it and bake the quiche in the oven!

Who can resist a delicious serve of dumplings, especially when they’re filled with fresh vegetables and a chilli sauce – yum! Rather than heading out for dinner each time, make them from scratch at home. It’s actually easier than it sounds.

If you’re pressed time and are about to head to the supermarket to pick up a ready-made frozen meal for dinner, stop! This baghdad eggs with quinoa recipe from Eggs Australia is super simple, packed with different vitamins and minerals and includes high quality protein, meaning you’re more likely to meet your daily nutritional requirements than that of a plastic-tasting pasta dish. It’s also inexpensive, versatile and really tasty. Need we say more?

Did you know that hummus is actually packed with nutrients and protein? This healthy dip is a fantastic alternative to mayonnaise since it’s relatively low in fat and is so easy to make from scratch. Why not try this delicious green hummus, which is packed with vegetables, as a tasty snack for the entire family!

Looking for a healthy dinner recipe the entire family will enjoy? This yummy little creation brings together nutritious avocado, feta cheese, and hummus in a delightful little wrap – not to mention seasoned with red chilli flakes and cracked black pepper!

Enjoy a light and healthy salad this summer by experimenting with some of your favourite seasonal fruits and vegetables. We have compiled just a few tasty recipes below which are sure to be the hit at the next dinner party!

1. Peel and boil the potatoes until soft and tender. Drain well, then dice into quarters.

2. Arrange the lettuce on the bottom of each bowl, then add the tuna, tomatoes, potatoes and olives. Garnish with olive oil and cracked black pepper. Red chilli flakes also add a kick of flavour to this traditional dish.

Grilled prawns with fresh vegetables, seasoned with salt and pepper, and to top if off with some grilled pineapple. Feel free to alter the recipe to suit your own personal taste, or add a few extra vegetables into the mix.

Contrary to the belief that seafood is a summer delicacy, it can still be enjoyed just as much in the cooler months. Enjoy Sally Matterson’s chilli, coriander squid recipe as a main, or serve as a warming side salad if you’re entertaining.

Make these delicious nibbles the next time you’ve got some salmon leftover, or if you want to create a quick and tasty lunch. The recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare and tastes amazing with avocado sauce, a touch of mayonnaise and some steamed vegetables.

Make this quick and easy summer salad which tastes fresh, and is ideal with red or white wine. Cucumber, olives, feta cheese, tomato and red capsicum with a splash of olive oil is the best way to treat your guests. No lettuce.

If you have a few leftover green vegetables, why not create this easy stir-fry which takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. Make the most of what’s in the fridge and throw a few of your favourite ingredients into the mix for a tasty dish that won’t leave you feeling hungry afterwards.

Tired of wasting all of your money on food and drinks? So are we! Prepare your own healthy meals at home to save some extra cash, plus you will know exactly what’s included in your food. We have tracked down five easy lunch ideas under $5 for those who don’t mind being a bit thrifty.

A delicious couscous salad is perfect if you’re watching your weight, but still want to feel satisfied after your meal. Enjoy with crunchy red grapes and crumbled feta cheese over the top for extra flavour. Replace the grapes with cherry tomatoes or olives if they’re not your thing.

Try this light spring/summer take on a traditional salad for a healthy lunch or dinner meal. Perfect for those who are vegetarian, make sure to add some of your favourite seasonal vegetables into the mix.

Strawberry and bacon might seem like an unorthodox pairing, but trust us, this is one delicious recipe! Combining freshly chopped strawberries, baby spinach and a warm bacon dressing, it is the perfect spring salad to enjoy in the sun on a lazy Saturday morning.

Don’t do breakfast? We’ve all been told we should. Nutritionists insist on it. The problem for most of us is that we are usually in a mad panic in the morning with only 5 minutes to spare – so instead of eating something nutritious, we grab a coffee and run. We’re cheating ourselves. Eating breakfast will help boost our blood-sugar levels and make us more alert which then increases the ability to be more productive at work. Wouldn’t all our bosses want that? How do we do it?

Nutritionist Sam Pelly says: “Get up a few minutes earlier each day and spend some time enjoying breakfast.” With that key advice we asked Sam if she knew any great food ideas to make getting out of bed worth it. This is what she came up with:

Breakfast fruit smoothie

Quick and simple just whiz together two or three softened fruits in a blender and sip through a thick straw to make it more fun.

Try 1 ripe banana, 3-4 strawberries, a small glass of fresh orange juice and a small carton of low-fat yoghurt and add 1 tbs of wheat germ to give it an extra health boost.

Halve a ripe paw paw and scoop out the seeds. Blend with the juice of a lime and a peeled and chopped kiwi fruit. Add 1 tbs of coconut cream or a teaspoon of desiccated coconut.

Plain yoghurt with poached fruit and cinnamon

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 cinnamon stick

Method

Prepare the poached fruit the night before by mixing water, orange juice, sugar, vanilla essence and cinnamon stick in a saucepan.